Christmas Eve, 1994
Snowflakes fluttered down, crystals glittering in the soft pale moonlight that lit the Montana landscape. Pine trees were covered in a thick coat of snow, landscape fluffy white and sparkling in the late night air.
The large brown wolf pup sat watching the flakes fall, bright hazel eyes flicking quickly to follow each one as it fell to the ground. His eyes were sad and searching as he watched each flake, wishing upon them before the softly settled with their friends on the frigid ground.
A larger dark blonde wolf trotted through the thick snow over to the pup who sat up on a small boulder, his green eyes were curious as he came up next to his younger sibling, wandering what was bothering the small wolf.
"Hey Sammy, what's up with you tonight?" Dean asked Sam as he bumped him softly with his muzzle.
Sam sighed and looked at his older brother, giving a slight shiver from under his fluffy, puppy coat.
"Dean, why can't we have a normal Christmas?" Sam asked softly, sadness in his voice.
Dean cocked his head slight and eyed his younger sibling curiously.
"You mean in a house with a tree and presents and stuff?" Dean asked with sarcasm.
Sam nodded back, eyes searching his older brother for answers.
"Well, because this is our normal family Christmas, Sammy. This is what the pack always does to celebrate." Dean said simply, jumping up beside his brother he lay down next to him and laid his chin on his paws.
Sam was silent for a moment as he stared up at the stars and moon, thin clouds moving slowly as the cold wind blew softly on the almost still night.
"… I wish Mom was alive." Sam said quietly as his gaze went down to his paws and his ears drooped.
Dean's ears dropped and he gave his younger sibling a sympathetic look.
"Me too, Sammy."
The two brothers stared out over the snow covered landscape as they waited for their father's call. Sam thinking of a different life as Dean thought back to his mother and the brief memories of the pack he had once known.
He could still feel his mother comforting kisses, her human hands embracing him in a hug, or her wolf muzzle nuzzling him in affection. Her bright blue eyes watching him with warmth and love as her played with his father, her curly blonde hair, and her shining blonde coat as she ran through the woods.
Dean sighed at the memories of his mother, wanting so bad for her presence to be there with them now. He looked to Sam, his sad eyes searching the empty landscape for some kind of answer. Dean nuzzled him and whined softly, trying to cheer up his little brother.
Sam perked his ears a bit as he caught a glimpse of fur flashing off in the distance. He lifted his head and watched as the thing began to move closer, snow splashing around it in a shower of glittering flakes. He scented the air, as the other animal was upwind, but no scent came. He nudged Dean and pointed with his muzzle as it drew closer from the valley beneath.
Dean stood protectively over his brother, ears strained as he listened for what or who the intruder might be. As it approached he saw it was a wolf, bright blonde fur almost glowing in the moonlight. His breath hitched as the resemblance between his own mother and this wolf was undeniably close.
The brothers watched in curiosity as the wolf grew closer, neither able to call for their father as they were captivated by its beauty. The wolf started up the small hill they were on, Dean tensing at its closeness but still unable to react as he swore it was his very own mother heading for them. Blue eyes caught the moonlight, a smile on it's face as it's tongue lolled happily from it's muzzle.
It was within twenty feet of them now, climbing the rocks quickly, Sam rose with a wagging tail, Dean holding his breath as it approached. It bounded up toward them, mere feet away… the faded into nothing in mid air, leaving only a soft breeze as it disappeared.
Dean sucked in the breeze, the scent of his mother coursing through him, a desperate whine escaping his throat. Sam's tail stopped as he looked about in confusion.
"Dean… Dean, what was that?" Sam asked, bumping his older brother with a persistent muzzle.
Dean gulped, looking around with wide eyes as he tried to figure out what had just happened.
"Dean, that was mom, wasn't it? I could feel her, she was here! That was her!" Sam said in an ecstatic voice, jumping at his brother to get his attention.
Dean whirled around, sniffing the air as he tried to find her, he had to find her, he had to bring her back to their family.
"Gotta find her, gotta find her…" Dean thought, taking his nose to the ground as he desperately searched for some kind of clue.
Sam's tail and ears drooped as he watched his brother, he came up beside Dean and stepped in front of him, eyes locking as he looked at his brother.
"She's gone Dean, she is, but I think that was her spirit or something letting us know she's still with us, watching over us…" Sam said softly to his brother.
Dean nodded, nuzzling his brother as he let out a sad sigh.
"I know Sammy, I know… I just wish it were her…" He said quietly.
A soft howl from atom the mountain made them both turn and look up, a blonde wolf could be seen atop a boulder that protruded from the mountain side. Her howl was loving and warm, a comfort in the cold night.
Sam and Dean joined in, howls echoing on and on even as the blonde wolf disappeared into the night air, presence lingering forever in the hearts of her sons.